Tips for Startup Success from Jason Nazar

March 4, 2015

We were thrilled to have Jason Nazar join us here at The Bouqs Company HQ for a Fireside Chat. Jason co-founded Docstoc, the premier online destination for entrepreneurs to locate quality documents and content resources to start and grow their business. He was named one of the “Most Admired CEOs in Los Angeles” by the LA Business Journal.

Here are some insightful tips Jason shared for success in startups and small businesses:

Always say yes

One of the secrets to success is to volunteer for everything. No task is too big or too small. Just say yes! You don’t need to be the first in the office and the last to leave to be successful. Be smart by maximizing opportunities as they come and managing your time intelligently. If someone asks you how to do something you’re unfamiliar with, say yes and then learn.

Check your ego at the door

This leads me to Jason’s second tip: check your ego at the door. If you work at a startup, your team most likely spends a lot of time at the office, which, lets be honest, is probably a closet-sized room and four chairs. Especially in the early stages, everyone will be wearing multiple “hats,” and you may have to complete boring and tedious tasks. Go with it. There’s no room (literally) for big egos, so don’t bring yours.

Establish a shared identity and vision

Whether there are ten people in the office or one-hundred, aim to establish a shared identity, so that all team members feel aligned with the company mission. Shared accountability and a deep sense of trust are essential for everyday productivity. Teams can encourage collaboration and promote camaraderie by meeting regularly to discuss wins, areas for improvement, and progress towards long-term goals.

Startups are messy. There’s no playbook and no structure, and many a time you’ll have to roll with the punches. As long as you’re improving a little everyday, you’re moving in the right direction. Need a little motivation? Put a post-it on your desk that says, “Was I great today?” and hold yourself accountable, everyday.